Looking at these barriers with marketing eyes, I see challenges in product design (charging time, mileage, and battery life), distribution (charging stations), and promotion (public knowledge and education).

I suspect some advocates of free markets and small government would argue that government should not be in the business of making markets and picking winners this way. Let the companies and consumers sort out what they want.

I think this is a narrow and short-sighted view, for a few reasons:

There are public interests in promoting transportation with less atmospheric and noise pollution, namely public health and climate change.

Efficient transportation is a vital ingredient to economic development.

Electrified transportation can promote energy independence.

Transportation infrastructure requires a long time horizon to plan, fund, and build; it’s not sufficient to merely react to market forces.

At the same time, there’s a difference between a clear policy and the shifting tides of special interest.

As a result, in part, of lobbying by the car manufacturer and labor union special interests, it seems our de facto transportation policy has been centered around the personal car, to the exclusion of public transportation and the accompanying urban planning to support it.

Maybe a more overt and dedicated car-centered policy could bring a faster EV adoption. On the hand, is car-centered policy and investment the best course to pursue? More on that in an upcoming post.